Global VAT & Indirect Tax News

UK consumers buying from EU retailers may face extra customs duties, import VAT and courier handling fees on orders over £135, while orders £135 or less are exempt from additional charges. The new rules require EU sellers to register with HMRC and consumers can refuse extra fees but must pay to receive goods. Reclaiming overcharged duties and VAT is possible through specific customs forms, though courier fees are generally non‑reimbursable.

Fabian Barth examines how HMRC’s positions on input tax deduction have varied across cases, citing Royal Opera House, Hotel La Tour, and Littlewoods. He highlights contradictory stances on LVCR trade in the Channel Islands, underscoring the complexity of VAT compliance. The post emphasizes that court rulings and precedent shape the practical application of VAT rules.

On 15 January 2026 France and Germany will roll out updated hybrid e‑invoicing standards—Factur‑X 1.0.8 in France and ZUGFeRD 2.4 in Germany—aligned with the EU EN 16931 framework and the French AFNOR XP Z12‑012 standard. The update adds support for complex invoice structures, a newer UN/CEFACT CII release, clearer rounding tolerance rules, and updated documentation. Businesses invoicing in either country should verify ERP compatibility and adjust tax logic to meet the new tolerances.

The EU has updated its eInvoicing standard EN 16931, adding B2B extensions, new technical specifications, and a semantic data model. The ViDA initiative now requires near real‑time VAT reporting for intra‑EU transactions, with a new Digital Reporting Requirements (DRR) message that is a VAT report, not an invoice. Businesses aligning early will avoid compliance issues and benefit from streamlined invoicing and reporting.

Maastricht Centre for Taxation has released two free, open‑access books – "VAT in a Day" and "Customs in a Day" – that provide concise introductions to the EU VAT Directive and the Union Customs Code. The publications aim to equip readers with a solid grasp of EU indirect tax law within a single day and are supported by leading Dutch universities and tax firms.

From 1 January 2026, a wave of jurisdictions will tighten enforcement of VAT and GST on cross‑border digital services, expanding scope, tightening registration triggers and integrating data‑driven compliance. The changes focus on stronger enforcement, refined liability rules and closer integration of transaction and payment data, affecting non‑resident digital service providers worldwide.

The EU has granted importers of ammonia and urea a temporary exemption from import duties and CO2 tax, effective 1 January 2026, to keep fertilizers affordable for farmers amid the Mercosur trade negotiations.

Italy has reduced the VAT rate on works of art, collectibles and antiques to 5% from 1 July 2025, replacing the former 10% rate for imports and sales by authors. The change applies to domestic sales, imports and intra‑Community acquisitions, but is incompatible with the margin scheme for resellers. Operators must adjust invoicing, ledger practices and potentially switch between margin methods to comply with the new regime.

Zimbabwe has increased the standard VAT rate on tourism services from 15% to 15.5% and re‑classified activities and transfers from zero‑rated to standard‑rated, effective 1 January 2026. The move puts pressure on operators with long‑lead bookings, prompting calls for a transitional period and raising compliance costs. The change is expected to reduce Zimbabwe’s competitiveness in the Southern African tourism market.

The CJEU’s Flo Veneer judgment (C‑639/24) clarifies that Article 45a of the EU VAT Implementing Regulation does not require a closed list of documents to prove intra‑Community transport. Tax authorities must consider all available evidence and cannot deny the exemption solely on missing standard documents. The ruling reinforces fiscal neutrality and will shape member‑state audit practices.

Slovenia has increased its Intrastat reporting thresholds for arrivals and dispatches of goods with other EU member states, effective 1 January 2026. The arrivals threshold rises from €240,000 to €300,000 per annum (statistical €4 million), while dispatches rise from €270,000 to €280,000 per annum (statistical €9 million). These changes affect larger shippers and are part of Slovenia’s annual reporting obligations for intra‑EU trade.